Hand swimming device



y 968 F. M, M cLURE 3,382,515

HAND SWIMMING DEVICE Filed March 31, 1967 INVENTOR. osree M. M? 04 wee;

United States Patent 3,382,515 HAND SWIMMING DEVICE Foster M. McClure, P.0. Box 177, El Centro, Calif. 92243 Filed Mar. 31, 1967, Ser. No. 627,473 4 Claims. (Cl. 9307) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pad for facilitating swimming, adapted to be secured to the hand of the swimmer. Finger-receiving openings are provided in the pad, so that the pad is supported on the front side of the fingers. The middle finger-receiving opening extends to the pad edge and splits the pad substantially in half, for increased flexibility and maneuverability during swimming. An integral wristband secures the pad in fixed position upon the hand, without impairing its designed flexibility, and completes the assembly.

This invention relates to a swimming aid, and in particular, a pad adapted to be worn upon the hand of the swimmer for increasing the effective area of contact with the water in web-like fashion.

Devices of the character indicated have been deficient heretofore in their lack of flexibility when in contact with water. The lack of flexibility hampers the swimmer in his maneuverability.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a pad adapted to be worn upon the hand of a swimmer, characterized by increased flexibility during use.

A further object of this invention is to provide a swimming pad of the character indicated having increased flexibility, but which can be securely fastened to the hand of the swimmer in an expedient manner.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a swimming pad of the character indicated, which may be used interchangeably with either the right or left hand.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a swimming pad which has a minimum number of components, can be molded in one-piece, or cut from a single blank of material, and hence is economical in construction.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the hand swimming device comprising the subject matter of the instant invention, illustrated in operative position upon the hand of a swimmer;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the hand swimming device shown in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the plane indicated by line 33 of FIGURE 2.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the hand swimming device comprises a pad 10, substantially semi-lemniscate in shape. The pad 10 is preferably of sufficient size to extend slightly past the ends of the fingers and thumb, when positioned upon the hand 12 of the swimmer, as shown in FIGURE 1.

The pad 10 is provided with a thumb-receiving opening 14; a first finger-receiving opening 16; a middle or second finger-receiving opening 18; a third finger-receiving opening 20; and a little finger-receiving opening 22.

The pad 10 is thin and can be molded or cut from a blank of sheet rubber, plastic, or the like so that it is semifiexible and resilient. The spaces between the finger openings and outwardly from the thumb and little finger openings are substantially narrow to provide comfort and ease when supported on the inner side of the fingers and thumb in swimming.

While thumb and finger-receiving openings 14, 16, 20, and 22 have defined terminal portions in the plane of the pad 10, the middle or second finger-receiving opening 18 cuts through the pad edge, and splits the pad substantially in half, forming terminals 24 and 26. By virtue of this construction, the pad 10 offers less resistance to being turned and bent, lending itself to greater maneuverability of the swimmer, while maintaining an effective area of contact with the water in web-like fashion.

For fixing the pad 10 upon the hand 12, an integral resilient strap or band 28, having slots 30, 32 and 34, projects rearwardly from terminal 24. A kidney-shaped catch 36, provided with binding surfaces 38 and 40, projects rearwardly from terminal 26. The band 28 and catch 36 are coplanar with pad 10.

After the fingers of hand 12 have been placed into openings 14-22, inclusive, as shown in FIGURE 1, the band 28 is wound about the wrist 42 of the swimmer, and a lateral edge of the kidney-shaped catch 36 is pushed through one of the slots 30, 32 or 34, depending upon the size of the wrist 42. Once catch 36 is completely through the slot, it is turned or twisted, and binding surfaces 38 and 40 overlie the top surface of band 28, and prevent withdrawal of the catch through the slot.

The pad 10 is thus firmly secured to the hand 12 of the swimmer, without any impairment of flexibility of the device provided by extending opening 18 through the pad edge.

To position the pad 10 on the right hand, or opposite hand to that shown in FIGURE 1, the pad is merely turned upside down for receiving the fingers.

While a specific embodiment of my invention has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood tthat various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on this invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A swimming aid adapted to be secured to the hand of a swimmer comprising a substantially planar semiflexible pad having a substantially fan-shaped edge and the size of the hand with the fingers and thumb spread, a series of elongated openings in said pad for receiving the fingers and thumb of a swimmers hand therethrough, one of said elongated openings being cut through said edge to increase the flexibility of said pad, and means integrally formed with said pad for securing it to the swimmers hand after the fingers and thumb have been received within said openings.

2. A swimming aid in accordance with claim 1, wherein said opening cut through said edge forms a pair of spaced terminals on said pad, and said last-named means includes; an eelongated narrow integral band projecting r References Cited from one of said ierminals, aseriesof slots spaced along i UNITED STATES PATENTS said band, and an lntegral catch pro ecting from the other 1 of said terminals adapted to be received within one of 115461267 2 Tlckel et 9*307 Said Slots on Said band i 5 2,0 ,944 11/19 6 McClure 9307 3. Aswirnming aid in accordance With claim 2, wherein 21221825 1/1941 Devermann '7" 9 307 Said catch is kidney-shaped.

4.]A swimming did in accordance wit h claim 3; Where- FERGUS MIDDLETON Pnmm'y Examinm" in said band and catch are coplananwith said pad. JAMES E. PITTENGER, Assistant Examiner. 

